kinospot: сентября 2008

воскресенье, 21 сентября 2008 г.

Saving Private Ryan

Directed by: Steven Spielberg.

Starring: Tom Hanks (as Captain John H. Miller), Tom Sizemore (as Sergeant Mike Horvath), Edward Burns (as Pvt. Richard Reiben), Barry Pepper (as Pvt. Daniel Jackson), Adam Goldberg (as Pvt. Stanley Mellish), Vin Diesel (as Private Adrian Caparzo), Giovanni Ribisi (as T-4 Medic Irwin Wade), Jeremy Davies (as Cpl. Timothy P. Upham), Matt Damon (as Private James Francis Ryan).

Opening with the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944, members of the 2nd Ranger Battalion under Cpt. Miller fight ashore to secure a beachhead. Amidst the fighting, two brothers are killed in action. Earlier in New Guinea, a third brother is KIA. Their mother, Mrs. Ryan, is to receive all three of the grave telegrams on the same day. The United States Army Chief of Staff, George C. Marshall, is given an opportunity to alleviate some of her grief when he learns of a fourth brother, Private James Ryan, and decides to send out 8 men (Cpt. Miller and select members from 2nd Rangers) to find him and bring him back home to his mother...

It's been over a year since first seeing Saving Private Ryan -- it's a worthy effort by Speilberg--his best since Shindler's List by far. You've probably heard about the amount of violence, blood, and gore and that's all true--it's got the Viet Nam movie style violence (and then some) but it's not gratuitous. Were it sanitized like early WWII movies, modern audiences probably wouldn't take it as seriously.
The movie has that trademark Speilberg style--the structure is all tied up and unified from beginning to end, the emotional symbols abound, the music swelling when he's working at your emotions, the hand held camera that worked so well in Shindler's List to give you a feeling of participation, camera angles and periods of silence to disorient you (like Shindler), suspense techniques learned from Hitch... It's a movie that stays with you for a period afterwards.
Hanks will be the early front runner for Oscar after this flick--Academy members like him AND it IS his best acting job ever. While Speilberg will likely be criticized for attempting to manipulate the audience's emotions while keeping a distance from the inner core of his characters, Tom Hanks reveals a really complex military leader in this story, and does so without overacting--somehow it comes from within. While you may not empathize deeply with many of the platoon, you will still feel something because of the relationship that is formed with Hanks.
After the initial set-up, you will have the opportunity to participate in the D-Day operation and experience the horror of it. Those who have been in a real war can comment about how realistic or not Speilberg captures its chaotic horror in this scene.
In my case I again feel very lucky that my draft number was high, so I never had to face Nam like many of my classmates. Speilberg reminds us brutally in 'Saving Private Ryan' that we All have a debt to pay to the brave souls who have sacrificed so much for us. What Tom Hanks does with his performance is to remind us of this debt in a very personal way.

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Lions for Lambs

четверг, 18 сентября 2008 г.

Memoirs of a Geisha

Directed by: Rob Marshall.

Starring: Suzuka Ohgo (as Chiyo), Togo Igawa (as Tanaka), Mako (as Sakamoto), Samantha Futerman (as Satsu), Elizabeth Sung (as Sakamoto's Wife), Thomas Ikeda (as Mr. Bekku), Li Gong (as Hatsumomo), Tsai Chin (as Auntie).

In 1929 an impoverished nine-year-old named Chiyo from a fishing village is sold to a geisha house in Kyoto's Gion district and subjected to cruel treatment from the owners and the head geisha Hatsumomo. Her stunning beauty attracts the vindictive jealousy of Hatsumomo, until she is rescued by and taken under the wing of Hatsumomo's bitter rival, Mameha. Under Mameha's mentorship, Chiyo becomes the geisha named Sayuri, trained in all the artistic and social skills a geisha must master in order to survive in her society. As a renowned geisha she enters a society of wealth, privilege, and political intrigue. As World War II looms Japan and the geisha's world are forever changed by the onslaught of history.

Looking over previous comments here, it is clear that this is a very polarizing movie experience, one that seems to put 'Syriana' to shame in that realm. Director Rob Marshall has taken a best selling novel and turned out a feature film that it appears some people love and some absolutely hate. Count me in the first category, but allow me to indulge the critics, too.
First, this isn't a typical Hollywood film. Despite popular western misconceptions about Geishas, there's no sex, almost no violence and beyond that, there's nearly two and a half hours of women's problems that many men may find hard to relate to. This is not 'Desperate Housewives' or even 'All my Children.' This is about deceit, treachery and rivalries as much as it is about a little girl who gets sold into bondage by her impoverished Japanese family. Its also about a lifelong search for love in a society in which people apparently can't just step up and make frank declarations of devotion to one another. This movie is in a word 'complicated' and that is going to turn some American movie goers off.
But not all Asian film fans are raving about this movie either, some thinking it is a very superficial look at Japnese customs and others incensed that a movie that's about an important Japanese tradition should star three Chinese actresses. I cannot comment on either topic, since I know little or nothing about Japanese tradition and I don't know why Ziyi Zhang, Michelle Yoeh and Gong Li were cast. They have been seen before by American audiences, but are hardly film stars in this country, so it wasn't as if they were going to draw in tons of fans on their names alone.
The only thing I can think of is, all three are fine actresses and they more than proved that in this film. If Gong Li does not get a best supporting actress nomination, there's no justice. And Zhang should probably get a crack at best actress for her work, as well.
All three just light up the screen.
But, I can understand in this age of political correctness, how some would be offended by the casting and how others might complain about the handling of the Japanese subject matter.
All I can say is, movie makers face trade offs and one is either targeting your film to a mass audience (and in America, that means a generally poorly educated audience) or 'narrow casting' your film to people very well acquainted with the topic who will swoop down on any flaw. But that, when dealing with a topic like Japanese geisha culture, is a pretty small audience in America, too small to generate the kind of box office a film like this needs to pull in to pay for itself. From a purely Anglo, American, unschooled in Japanese culture standpoint, I think Marshall made good decisions. I hope he has not slighted Japanese culture too much, but I think he has made a suspenseful, captivating, enchanting film that does something a lot of films haven't in recent years.
He gave us a complex central character we can pull for throughout the film and for that, I thank him.
'Memoirs of a Geisha' ranks among my five best films of the year thus far, and deserves a best picture nomination.

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Trainspotting

Directed by: Danny Boyle.

Starring: Ewan McGregor (as Renton), Ewen Bremner (as Spud), Jonny Lee Miller (as Sick Boy), Kevin McKidd (as Tommy), Robert Carlyle (as Begbie), Kelly Macdonald (as Diane), Peter Mullan (as Swanney), James Cosmo (as Mr. Renton), Eileen Nicholas (as Mrs. Renton), Susan Vidler (as Allison), Pauline Lynch (as Lizzy), Shirley Henderson (as Gail), Stuart McQuarrie (as Gavin/US Tourist), Irvine Welsh (as Mikey Forrester).

A wild, freeform, Rabelaisian trip through the darkest recesses of Edinburgh low-life, focusing on Mark Renton and his attempt to give up his heroin habit, and how the latter affects his relationship with family and friends: Sean Connery wannabe Sick Boy, dimbulb Spud, psycho Begbie, 14-year-old girlfriend Diane, and clean-cut athlete Tommy, who's never touched drugs but can't help being curious about them...

In the aftermath of _Pulp Fiction_, much of the filmmaking of the 1990s thrived upon attempts to appear 'edgy' within the constructs of independent films, or merely to provide empty shock value cliches. And no film ever came close to the sheer cleverness of Tarantino's masterpiece.
_Trainspotting_, however, somehow manages to take the excesses of the mid-90s and rise far, far above the cinematic cliches that it easily could have become. A film that tackles any hot-button social issue can, and usually does, simply become a didactic propaganda piece. Thankfully, _Trainspotting_ is vastly more intelligent in its edginess and its shock.
In order to appreciate _Trainspotting_ fully, the viewer must abandon any preconceptions about what defines truly great cinema, because this film defies convention at nearly every turn. And with the rapid pace of its plot, that's quite a bit of ground to cover.
Though a great deal of the picture's brilliance is derived from director Danny Boyle's consistent rejection of typical cinematic techniques, the most satisfying and _best_ aspect of _Trainspotting_ is that Boyle creates a film that is neither pro-drug or anti-drug. Instead, he maintains a rare objectivity throughout the film, depicting this fascinating array of complex, beautifully acted characters with an honesty that it seldom captured on film. And, given the life that each character lives, it's nearly incomprehensible that a director would refrain from influencing the viewer's impressions in any way, yet that's exactly what Boyle does.
The dialogue-- or at least what portions of the brogue-drenched dialogue American viewers will be able to comprehend-- is alternately hilarious, raw, and brutal. And Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, and Robert Carlyle bring a remarkable compassion and depth to their portrayals of characters that could have easily lapsed into cliche.
Despite its sheer brilliance, _Trainspotting_ is not a film that's easy to watch. The viewer is bombarded with images that transcend visceral discomfort in their horror-- this movie contains two of the most graphic, horrifying scenes I've ever encountered. But, amazingly, none of these elements is used merely for shock value. Though the viewer will be mortified by some of the things that happen onscreen-- the well-documented dive into Scotland's most vile public toilet, for example-- these scenes all make _perfect sense_ within the context of a masterfully told story.
In order to notice all of the subtlety that also exists in _Trainspotting_, repeat viewings are necessary, primarily to reduce some of the most powerful shocks ever-so-slightly, though their effects are never lost entirely. Some of the images will likely haunt even the most cynical, jaded viewer for weeks.
RATING: 10 out of 10. Never patronizing and completely unpretentious, _Trainspotting_ is one of the most daring, unconventional films ever made. It inspires a level of discomfort rivaled by very few movies, because, even at its most graphic, Boyle never insults the viewer with mere shock tactics. Brilliantly acted, directed, and written, with a truly rare objectivity that allows each viewer to interpret its story on his/her own terms.

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Northfork

Directed by: Michael Polish.

Starring: James Woods (as Walter O'Brien), Nick Nolte (as Father Harlan), Douglas Sebern (as Mayor), Claire Forlani (as Mrs. Hadfield), Duel Farnes (as Irwin), Daryl Hannah (as Flower Hercules), Graham Beckel (as Marvin), Josh Barker (as Matt), Peter Coyote (as Eddie).

In a near-empty Northfork orphanage, Father Harlan gently tends to Irwin, a eight-year-old who lies between a dreamstate and death. As orphanage caretaker Harlan reads aloud about Northfork's years-ago forced evacuation to make way for a hydro-electric dam, Irwin's imagination takes flight. While a team of six men evacuate the last remaining citizens of the town, Irwin, too, invents a cast of characters to prepare himself for his own evacuation.

Northfork is not an inscrutable mess. Whether you wish to view the more fanciful scenes as literal or the product of a dying boy's imagination, one strong theme connects all the stories. Change happens. Each sub-story revolves around a profound change. The little boy is dying. The town is being evacuated. The movie illustrates how we get dragged along by changes we are powerless to stop. We should ideally make the best of them and accept whatever heartache they cause. Some look forward towards a new freedom (the little boy) and some obstinately refuse to accept them (the ark family). And Walter has to learn the lesson that there are some changes we think are over and done with that must be relived (reburying his wife). Just because we think we've buried a chapter in life under the ground doesn't make it so. This is shown so clearly by the conversations between Walter and his son Willis. I say that if you really want to know what the movie is about watch the scene that begins in the outhouse. And pay special attention to the Willis's speech about caring for his car. Its a beautiful movie that gains meaning for me every time I watch it.

Here you can see some amazing moments from Northfork Movie:

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John Q

Directed by: Nick Cassavetes.

Starring: Denzel Washington (as John Quincy Archibald), Gabriela Oltean (as Beautiful Woman), Robert Duvall (as Lt. Frank Grimes), James Woods (as Dr. Raymond Turner), Ron Annabelle (as Tow Truck Driver), Anne Heche (as Rebecca Payne), Eddie Griffin (as Lester Matthews), Daniel E. Smith (as Mike Archibald), David Thornton (as Jimmy Palumbo), Kimberly Elise (as Denise Archibald), Shawn Hatosy (as Mitch Quigley), Barry G. King (as Personnel Manager), Heather Wahlquist (as Julie Bird), Ray Liotta (as Chief Gus Monroe).

John Quincy Archibald's son Michael collapses while playing baseball as a result of heart failure. John rushes Michael to a hospital emergency room where he is informed that Michael's only hope is a transplant. Unfortunately, John's insurance won't cover his son's transplant. Out of options, John Q. takes the emergency room staff and patients hostage until hospital doctors agree to do the transplant.

Watch this great John Q Movie trailer:

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Johnny English

Directed by: Peter Howitt.

Starring: (as ), Rowan Atkinson (as Johnny English), Tasha de Vasconcelos (as Countess Alexandra), Ben Miller (as Bough, English's Sidekick), Greg Wise (as Agent One), Douglas McFerran (as Carlos Vendetta), Steve Nicolson (as Dieter Klein), Terence Harvey (as Official at Funeral), Kevin McNally (as Prime Minister), Tim Pigott-Smith (as Pegasus, the Investigator Chief), Nina Young (as Pegasus' Secretary), Rowland Davies (as Sir Anthony Chevenix).

Rowan plays the eponymous lead character in a spoof spy thriller. During the course of the story we follow our hero as he attempts to single-handedly save the country from falling into the hands of a despot.

Johnny English starts off a little bit like Bean: For some reason, wildly constructed, Rowan Atkinson ends up in a position that is far beyond his capabilities. Where Bean turns from Museum Guard to Museum curator impersonator, Johnny English turns from male Monneypenny-alike mission planner to James Bond replacement.
Sort of.
In a Bean kind of way, of course. Now that is where comparison with Bean should stop: Johnny English talks, for one thing, and doesn't just gesticulate around like a bit of a moron. And while he still causes a lot of trouble and shines in his incompetence, he manages to be far more charming and far less annoying than Mr Bean is in a 90 minute movie. Expect lots of visual humour, but also the odd moment of funny dialogue (the 'making love' dialogue scene is quite hilarious)
The plot is standard Bond fare: A French tycoon is up to no good, stealing crown jewels and trying to become king of.... England, oddly enough. There is a Bond girl, played by Natalie Imbruglia and sharing more similarities with Sophie Yeoh's butt-kicking bond girl than with the more traditional damsel in distress. But unfortunately, there is no equivalent to Q, nor to M and the movie is a bit too much of a one-man show.
How does it fare then? On the laughter front it was quite satisfying, easily outmanoeuvering the once-too-often repeated Austin Powers, putting anything recent by Leslie Nielsen to shame and being an altogether fine Bond spoof. There is lots of slapstick (including the disgusting kind), but the movie manages to be less over the top and closer to Bond than to old National Lampoon / Mel Brooks movies.
Altogether the movie was pleasantly surprising - better than Bean (which isn't too hard, to be honest) and Austin Powers (although it is a different kind of spoof). Still not brilliant, but a good dose of old-fashioned entertainment. Pity the trailer gave away quite a lot of the best bits.
Plus, the bad guy was supposedly French, what more could you ask for?

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Stargate: Continuum

Directed by: .

Starring: Ben Browder (as Lt. Colonel Cameron Mitchell), Michael Shanks (as Dr. Daniel Jackson), Christopher Judge (as Teal'c), Beau Bridges (as Major General Hank Landry), Cliff Simon (as Ba'al), Richard Dean Anderson (as Major General Jack O'Neill), Steve Bacic (as Camulus), Darcy Cadman (as Russian Officer), Vince Crestejo (as Yu-huang Shang Ti), Colin Cunningham (as Major Paul Davis), Don S. Davis (as George S. Hammond), William Devane (as Henry Hayes).

Ba'al travels back in time and prevents the Stargate program from being started. SG-1 must somehow restore history.

I was really hoping that this movie would bring back the feel of the first seven seasons. A warm and cuddly SG-1. I am very happy to say it lived up to all of my expectations.
I enjoyed every moment of this movie, and it is without a doubt a spectacular finish. People familiar to Stargate will find that this movie does not go through too much spectacular special effects. The lines are not drawn out and the story makes this a very nice watch. Old and new characters combine to do what SG-1 does best... Save earth.
I would not like to go into too much detail as I would want all of you to watch it for yourself, and take it in for it's full meaning. It goes above and beyond the realm of Stargate.

Watch this great Stargate: Continuum Movie trailer:

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40 Year Old Virgin

Directed by: Michael Lehmann.

Starring: Steve Carell (as Andy Stitzer), Catherine Keener (as Trish), Paul Rudd (as David), Romany Malco (as Jay), Seth Rogen (as Cal), Elizabeth Banks (as Beth), Leslie Mann (as Nicky), Jane Lynch (as Paula), Gerry Bednob (as Mooj), Shelley Malil (as Haziz), Kat Dennings (as Marla), Jordy Masterson (as Mark), Chelsea Smith (as Julia).

Andy at the age of 40 still hasn't had sex. He lets his secret slip at a poker game with his buds from work. After the revealing all his friends are on a mission to help get him laid. Along the way Andy meets a nice mom: Trish who fall head over heels for each other.

Just came out of a sneak preview for this film. It had me laughing every 30 secs. The ending was so funny that tears were rolling down my face and it had me wishing I hadn't bought that large coke. There are definitely some lulls, but, overall, highly entertaining. The movie lets Steve Carell have a chance to shine after stealing the spotlight from both Jim Carrey in 'Bruce Almighty' and Will Ferrell 'Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgendy' in their movies. Paul Rudd is hilarious as always. I love that he can be so funny in these broad comedies and continues to work in indie dramas (like P.S.). I think that Seth Rogen should be getting more work, because he so freaking talented and engaging. Leslie Mann also had some incredibly funny moments. I highly recommend it for those who just want to laugh like a maniac. However, if you're easily offended, don't see this movie. If you're a rabid feminist, don't see this movie. And, please, not matter what, even if you think you're one of those 'hip' parents, don't take your kids to this movie. Sure, you should let your teens go see this movie, just don't watch it with them. It would make for some incredibly awkward moments.

Watch this great 40 Year Old Virgin Movie trailer:

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Lions for Lambs

Directed by: Robert Redford.

Starring: Robert Redford (as Professor Stephen Malley), Meryl Streep (as Janine Roth), Tom Cruise (as Senator Jasper Irving), Michael Pe?a (as Ernest Rodriguez), Andrew Garfield (as Todd Hayes), Peter Berg (as Lt. Col. Falco), Kevin Dunn (as Howard - ANX Editor), Derek Luke (as Lt. Arian Finch), Larry Bates (as Soldier #1), Christopher May (as Soldier #2), David Pease (as Soldier #3), Heidi Janson (as Soldier #4), Christopher Carley (as Sniper), George Back (as Student #1).

Lions for Lambs begins after two determined students at a West Coast University, Arian and Ernest, follow the inspiration of their idealistic professor, Dr. Malley, and attempt to do something important with their lives. But when the two make the bold decision to join the battle in Afghanistan, Malley is both moved and distraught. Now, as Arian and Ernest fight for survival in the field, they become the string that binds together two disparate stories on opposite sides of America. In California, an anguished Dr. Malley attempts to reach a privileged but disaffected student who is the very opposite of Arian and Ernest. Meanwhile, in Washington D.C. the charismatic Presidential hopeful, Senator Jasper Irving, is about to give a bombshell story to a probing TV journalist that may affect Arian and Ernest's fates.

Lions for Lambs is a current issue film that deals with several relevant topics. The central plot revolves around essentially three settings that don't directly affect each other through action. They do however affect each other through course of action presented in debate. Cruise plays Jasper Irving, a GOP senator with a new plan of action for the war on terror. Streep is a veteran reporter who is interviewing him. Simultaneously, Redford is a college professor who has called a student into his office. A conflict in Afghanistan is taking place which is linked to the aforementioned plot lines.
Lions for Lambs surprised me with it's balance. I'm an open Republican, and felt that this movie was not a clich&eacute; attack against the power that be. The Cruise character could have been given irrefutable hatred material. He could have been caught in a scandal. He could have alienated others with religious furor. Instead he is real and forms educated arguments. He seems rational, and passionate; he can also make a turn to present himself to the public. I don't see this as an attack, but one of the many skills politicians need to succeed. With all they go through and the decisions they have, they don't want the mocking that crying before the camera would carry. The left is represented by Redford's professor and Streep's reporter. Both are treated with rationale conviction. Neither has a clear anti-GOP agenda. Both of these characters even go as far as to acknowledge the error in the ways of their side. If there is a message to the film, it is that we are being sheltered from reality. It was clear to this viewer that Redford is stating that we are placing focus on the minuscule while matters of true importance are treated as second rate. Surely this is something we all can agree on in Lions for Lambs and this comes into fruition as the film evolves.
Aside from the political commentary, which it makes no dance around, this a dialog heavy film. Characters are pinned against their situations which cause them to restrain from a course of action both physically and metaphorically. The conversations are engaging, but it would be arguably more favorable to allow the characters interaction. A few additional technical merits could have gone a long way. For example, the CGI of the Chinook helicopter was not up to par; a memorable score and unique cinematography are also absent. The screenplay is inherently foiled by remarkable coincidence; but there was no way around that. At a scant 88 minutes, Lions for Lambs is quick to get to the point but it is over too fast. These miscues keep it from perfection. Served as they are, Lions for Lambs is thinking person's film that comes highly recommended.

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Princess Diaries

Directed by: Garry Marshall.

Starring: Julie Andrews (as Queen Clarisse Renaldi), Anne Hathaway (as Mia Thermopolis), Hector Elizondo (as Joe), Heather Matarazzo (as Lilly Moscovitz), Mandy Moore (as Lana Thomas), Caroline Goodall (as Helen Thermopolis), Robert Schwartzman (as Michael Moscovitz), Erik von Detten (as Josh Bryant), Patrick Flueger (as Jeremiah Hart), Sean O'Bryan (as Teacher Patrick O'Connell), Sandra Oh (as Vice Principal Gupta), Kathleen Marshall (as Charlotte).

A socially awkward but very bright 15-year-old girl being raised by a single mom discovers that she is the princess of a small European country because of the recent death of her long-absent father, who, unknown to her, was the crown prince of Genovia. She must make a choice between continuing the life of a San Francisco teen or stepping up to the throne. While Mia makes up her mind, she's pressed into taking princess lessons from her grandmother.

I will admit that when I first heard a Disney movie called 'The Princess Diaries' was coming out, I thought it would be corny. But upon actually SEEING the film, I found (as is usually the case when stupid judgmental people make up their mind about films without watching them, I won't name names, you know who you are...Tom!) that it was in reality a charming, original, humorous and thoroughly entertaining family film.
The plot is fairy tale in nature: Mia is a social misfit with terrible hair and no self-confidence. Her only friends are eccentric activist Lilly and rock band headliner Michael (played by real-life rocket Robert Carmine of 'Rooney') who has a little crush on her. Then, who of all people should turn up but Julie Andrews to tell Mia that her father (who she hasn't seen since she was tiny) was actually royalty and that she, Mia, was princess of a country no one's ever heard of. What it comes down to is this: She has until a big embassy ball to decide whether she wants to give up the crown (and basically open the country up to a hostile political takeover) or take her place as princess. After a makeover (at the hands of funnyman Larry Miller), some training and at least four horrendously traumatizing incidents, she decides...well, that would be giving it away, wouldn't it?
This is not a movie for little girls dressed in tutus who want to be princesses when they grow up. For the first time in the studio's tenure (I'd wager) this film depicts the responsibility of royalty. Mia tackles with the pressures of ruling a country. But for my money the best part of this movie is the love story. No, not Mia and the uniquely attractive rocker (although, that is great). A second, unscripted love story exists between Andrews and her chauffeur, Hector Elizondo. That's terrific.
It's about being yourself and bettering yourself. It's about knowing who your real friends are. It's about living up to your own expectations. It's about smushing an ice cream cone on the blouse of a bitchy cheerleader who deserves it. And maybe that sounds corny to all y'all (rustic expression) but I know a lot of adults who could use lessons like these.

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Face/Off

Directed by: John Woo.

Starring: John Travolta (as Sean Archer/Castor Troy), Nicolas Cage (as Castor Troy/Sean Archer), Joan Allen (as Dr. Eve Archer), Alessandro Nivola (as Pollux Troy), Gina Gershon (as Sasha Hassler), Dominique Swain (as Jamie Archer), Nick Cassavetes (as Dietrich Hassler), Harve Presnell (as Victor Lazarro), Colm Feore (as Dr. Malcolm Walsh), John Carroll Lynch (as Walton, Prison Guard), CCH Pounder (as Dr. Holllis Miller), Robert Wisdom (as Tito Biondi), Margaret Cho (as Wanda), James Denton (as Buzz).

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Hood of Horror

Directed by: Stacy Title.

Starring: Snoop Dogg (as HOH/Devon), Ernie Hudson (as Roscoe), Danny Trejo (as Derelict), Pooch Hall (as Sod), Anson Mount (as Tex Jr), Daniella Alonso (as Posie), Lin Shaye (as Clara), Brande Roderick (as Tiffany), Richard Gant (as Jackson), Aries Spears (as Quon), Dallas Page (as Jersey), Jeffrey Licon (as Nib), Noel Gugliemi (as Fatcap).

A hip hop horror anthology of three tales of terror told by the Hound of Hell (Snoop Dogg) that revolve around the residents of an inner-city neighborhood whose actions determine where they will go in the afterlife.

Now, I don't want to say this is the worst movie ever, but it's pretty bad. If it weren't for a couple redeeming qualities, this movie would be at the very bottom of the barrel.
First of all, if the production value weren't so good, it wouldn't have even received the one showing it did. The production value is top notch. If it didn't involve Snoop Dogg, Danny Trejo, Jason Alexander, and a handful of other cool B-stars, then this movie wouldn't even be heard of. But it does. There is also one death that I didn't see coming. The others are terribly executed, no pun intended.
The opening sequence, while cool looking, is ages too long. Snoop is his usual double g self. 'Keepin it real,' as it were. Some of the acting is down right laughable, namely Posie. And at times the director chooses to use clich&eacute;d camera tricks for seemingly no reason, other than to disorient you in a scareless horror flick.
Intentional laughs, none. Scares, none. Smile worthy cheesy moments, a couple.
Was it worth paying to see in the theatres? No. Is is worth paying for to rent? No. But is it worth getting your favorite style of intoxicated and watching it with a group of friends? Almost.

Some best Hood of Horror Movie moments:

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Monster House

Directed by: Gil Kenan.

Starring: Ryan Newman (as Little Girl), Steve Buscemi (as Nebbercracker), Mitchel Musso (as DJ), Catherine O'Hara (as Mom), Fred Willard (as Dad), Sam Lerner (as Chowder), Woody Schultz (as Paramedic #1), Ian McConnel (as Paramedic #2), Maggie Gyllenhaal (as Zee), Jason Lee (as Bones), Spencer Locke (as Jenny), Kevin James (as Officer Landers), Nick Cannon (as Officer Lister), Jon Heder (as Reginald 'Skull' Skulinski).

The teenage DJ is observing his neighbor Nebbercracker on the other side of their street in the suburb that destroys tricycles of children that trespass his lawn. When DJ's parents travel on the eve of Halloween and the abusive nanny Zee stays with him, he calls his clumsy best friend Chowder to play basketball. But when the ball falls in Nebbercracker's lawn, the old man has a siege, and sooner they find that the house is a monster. Later the boys rescue the smart Jenny from the house and the trio unsuccessfully tries to convince the babysitter, her boyfriend Bones and two police officers that the haunted house is a monster, but nobody believes on them. The teenagers ask their video-game addicted acquaintance Skull how to destroy the house, and they disclose its secret on the Halloween night.

I just saw this movie at the Seattle International Film Festival. I didn't know what to expect, but I must say I found it quite enjoyable. There was a lot of talk before the movie. People were saying that it will be too scary for the little kids, but not adult enough to capture older kids attention.
I can see it being quite frightening at times for the little ones, but of the kids in the theater its not like I heard any of them screaming mommy. I don't know how well the movie will do with kids, but from an adult's perspective, its definitely worth a viewing.
The best part of the movie definitely has to be the characters. Each were extremely well thought out and put together. They did a fantastic job of matching right voices with the right characters. Characters facial expressions were amazing. You'll find yourself laughing at things they say and do quite a lot.
The animation looks great. They certainly aren't ground breaking. But they fit the movie well. However, I will say that some scenes looked quite amazing.
If you are looking for a fun, clean movie with plenty of laughs and chuckles, this is definitely one you don't want to miss!

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Goodbye Bafana

Directed by: Bille August.

Starring: Joseph Fiennes (as James Gregory), Dennis Haysbert (as Nelson Mandela), Diane Kruger (as Gloria Gregory), Shiloh Henderson (as Brett Gregory), Patrick Lyster (as Maj Pieter Jordaan), Faith Ndukwana (as Winnie Mandela), Mehboob Bawa (as Ahmed Kathrada), Adrian Galley (as Brigadier Kemp), Warrick Grier (as Vann Niekerk), Leslie Mongezi (as Walter Sisulu), Sizwe Msutu (as Cyril Ramaphosa), Matthew Roberts (as National security agent), Eduan van Jaarsveldt (as Sgt Chris Brits).

Goodbye Bafana is the true story of a white South African racist whose life was profoundly altered by the black prisoner he guarded for twenty years. The prisoner's name was Nelson Mandela.

Watch this great Goodbye Bafana Movie trailer:

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Se7en

Directed by: David Fincher.

Starring: Brad Pitt (as Detective David Mills), Morgan Freeman (as Detective Lt. William Somerset), Gwyneth Paltrow (as Tracy Mills), Kevin Spacey (as Dead Man), R. Lee Ermey (as Police Captain), Daniel Zacapa (as Detective Taylor), John Cassini (as Officer Davis), Bob Mack (as Gluttony Victim).

A film about two homicide detectives' desperate hunt for a serial killer who justifies his crimes as absolution for the world's ignorance of the Seven Deadly Sins. The movie takes us from the tortured remains of one victim to the next as the sociopathic 'John Doe' sermonizes to Detectives Sommerset and Mills &mdash; one sin at a time. The sin of Gluttony comes first and the murderer's terrible capacity is graphically demonstrated in the dark and subdued tones characteristic of film noir. The seasoned and cultured Sommerset researches the Seven Deadly Sins in an effort to understand the killer's modus operandi while green Detective Mills scoffs at his efforts to get inside the mind of a killer...

After the Alien-debacle Fincher proved all the critics wrong. This film is one of the best in a genre that hasn't been very innovative for a long time.
Everyone know's the story by now, so I won't waste time telling it. This film was trend setting with it's dark, gritty look and opening sequence. We still see it copied in movies and TV-series today. Everything is great about this film. I guess if anything, the weakest link in the film is Pitt, who is grossly overshadowed by Freeman. But let's not look for flaws when there really aren't any. The script is intelligent and uncompromising. The direction is innovative en daring. The production-design and cinematography are top-notch.
Fincher is one of the big boys in Tinseltown these days. Seven is the reason why.

Here you can see some amazing moments from Se7en Movie:

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Superhero Movie

Directed by: .

Starring: Drake Bell (as Rick Riker/Dragonfly), Christopher McDonald (as Lou Landers/Hourglass), Leslie Nielsen (as Uncle Albert Adams), Kevin Hart (as Trey), Ryan Hansen (as Lance Landers), Keith David (as The Chief of Police), Brent Spiner (as Dr. Strom), Robert Joy (as Dr. Stephen Hawking), Jeffrey Tambor (as Dr. Whitby), Robert Hays (as Blaine Riker), Sam Cohen (as Young Rick Riker), Tracy Morgan (as Professor Xavier), Craig Bierko (as Wolverine), Richard Tillman (as Leg-Shaving Wolverine).

Orphaned high school student Rick Riker is bitten by a radioactive dragonfly, develops super powers (except for the ability to fly), and becomes a hero.

This was the stupidest movie I have ever seen in my life. It is a complete waste of money and time. I went to see this movie with my friends and when the movie was over not a single person in the movie theater- not that there was a lot of people there to see this terrible movie- said 'wow what a good movie.' Someone actually walked out! It was absolutely terrible! It was disgusting and I hated every minute of it. My friend was putting her head in my shoulder towards the end because after the scene with Rick on the ceiling peeing, she had had enough. It was not funny at all. Believe me I went with 11 other girls and not one of my friends liked it. It was ridiculous! I've seen many movies but this was absolutely the worst! I mean a scene in the movie is with an old man making out with a dead person in a coffin. I just can't make up these things.

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Архив блога

Обо мне

воскресенье, 21 сентября 2008 г.

четверг, 18 сентября 2008 г.

Архив блога

Обо мне

воскресенье, 21 сентября 2008 г.

четверг, 18 сентября 2008 г.